By Forbes Staff,Forbes Vetted,Fran Sales

Copyright forbes

Stearns & Foster is a brand whose name has become synonymous with luxury, thanks to its mattresses that are made to order with premium materials and hand-stitched by certified master craftsmen. (There’s a reason you’ll often find these beds at high-end hotels like the Ritz-Carlton.) The brand currently offers five mattress collections, including the top-of-the-line Reserve, one of our favorite luxury mattresses of the year. But we also wanted to try the Lux Estate, which falls in the middle of the lineup, and rings up at $3,199 for a queen—$1,300 less than the Reserve.

Both short- and long-term testers evaluated the Stearns & Foster Lux Estate Mattress for support, motion isolation, cooling capabilities and more.
ILLUSTRATION: FORBES / PHOTO: bre richey for forbes

The Lux Estate comes in four firmness levels: Medium Standard, Pillow Top Firm, Pillow Top Medium and Pillow Top Soft. We tested two versions of the Luxe Estate over 30 nights—Pillow Top Medium and Pillow Top Soft—to see how they performed in real life. Both sets of testers found the mattresses to feel slightly firmer than the brand rating, but while the Pillow Top Medium was described as the “Goldilocks of mattresses,” the Pillow Top Firm was way too stiff for our lightweight testers.

Our Testers

We enlisted four testers, comprising two couples who share a bed, and represent different sleep styles and body types. They slept on these beds in their own homes and evaluated them using our formal testing methodology.

Lux Estate Pillow Top Medium

The first two testers are a couple who tested the Lux Estate in Pillow Top Medium. One is a combination sleeper who predominantly sleeps on her side and is 5-foot-3 inches and 130 pounds. Her partner is a back and side sleeper and is 6-foot-3 inches and 180 pounds.

Luxe Estate Pillow Top Firm

Our third and fourth testers trialed the Lux Estate in Pillow Top Firm. The first is a combination sleeper who’s 5-foot-6 inches and under 150 pounds; his sleeping partner is also a combination sleeper who is 5-foot-7 inches and also under 150 pounds.

Stearns & Foster

Stearns & Foster Lux Estate (Queen)

Our score: 9.5/10 | Type: Hybrid | Stearns & Foster’s firmness rating: Medium (6 to 7), PT soft (1 to 2), PT medium (4 to 5) and PT firm (8) | Trial period: 90 nights | Warranty: 10 years (limited) | Height: 14.5 inches (standard), 16 inches (pillow top)

Hot sleepers

Couples looking for edge support and motion isolation

A balance of support and pressure relief (specifically the PT medium model)

The $3,000-plus price exceeds your budget

You prefer the “sinking” sensation of a true memory foam bed

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Stearns & Foster Lux Estate Construction, Firmness And Feel

While all five of Stearns & Foster’s mattress styles are hybrids constructed with both memory foam and innerspring coils, the Lux Estate Collection stands out in several ways. Its comfort layer is made with Tempur-Indulge Memory Foam (specially designed by memory foam specialist Tempur-Pedic), and it uses proprietary “IntelliCoil” innersprings, which the brand says are densely packed to offer adaptive support.

An Innovative Blend Of Foam And Coils

Here’s a breakdown of each mattress layer, excluding the pillow top:

Cover: Quilted and made with sustainably sourced stretch-knit Tencel and cooling fibers to help wick away moisture.

Comfort layer: Contains Tempur-Indulge Memory Foam designed by Tempur-Pedic that the brand describes as having a “weightless yet supportive” feel.

Support layer: Designed with the brand’s proprietary IntelliCoil innersprings, which are more densely packed to help them adapt to and support different types of sleepers.

Edge support: Proprietary PrecisionEdge is a durable, high-density border of innerspring coils designed to minimize sagging over time, especially if you sleep or sit on the perimeter.

AirVent system: Perimeter is designed with a system of ventilated coils and external silver air vents to curb heat buildup and increase airflow.

The Stearns & Foster Lux Estate Mattress consists of five layers, including a layer of specially designed memory foam from Tempur-Pedic.
Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailer

Luxe Estate Pillow Top Medium: The “Goldilocks Of Mattresses”

Stearns & Foster rates the firmness of the Lux Estate Pillow Top Medium a 4 or 5 out of 10 on its firmness scale, but our tester found it to feel a bit firmer. While she initially felt the firmness level was closer to a 6.5, or medium-firm, her rating changed to a slightly softer 6 after one night of sleeping on it—and her husband agreed, despite generally perceiving mattresses as softer due to his heavier body weight. “Neither of us felt like we slept in or on the mattress—it supported us both in all the right places and cushioned us exactly where we needed it. We started wondering if we had stumbled onto the Goldilocks of mattresses,” she reports.

Our tester was also surprised to discover that despite having a premium memory foam comfort layer combined with a pillow top, the Lux Estate had a more traditional mattress feel. “It didn’t have the telltale sink-in feeling that memory foam typically offers,” she says. But in case that raises concerns as to whether it provides enough pressure relief for side sleepers, our predominantly side-sleeping tester assures us: “In the past month, I haven’t woken up with any shoulder or hip pain.”

Luxe Estate Pillow Top Firm: Firmer Than Expected

The second couple who tested the Lux Estate Pillow Top Firm, however, had a slightly less favorable impression of its firmness and feel. While the brand categorizes this model as an 8 out of 10 on the firmness scale, our testers report that it felt more like an extra-firm, or around 9 or 10. “There is almost no give with the mattress so I usually wake up a little sore,” says our 150-pound tester. His partner echoes, “It’s firmer than I prefer, causing it to lack comfort in any sleeping configuration, but it seems most tolerable when lying on my stomach.” Both agree that because the Pillow Top Firm model had no perceptible contouring, they ended up having to be more conscious of which sleeping positions they chose throughout the night to avoid putting too much stress on their joints.

Pictured: The Pillow Top Firm version of the Lux Estate in a showroom.
Bridget Chapman for Forbes

Stearns & Foster Lux Estate Mattress Features

Plenty of hybrid mattresses—including ones we’ve put through testing like the Leesa Original Hybrid and DreamCloud Hybrid—have a “break-in period,” meaning you’ll experience some discomfort for a few days as your body adjusts to the bed. Such was not the case with the Lux Estate Pillow Top Medium, according to our first two testers. From day one, this particular version of the bed offered an impressive balance of pressure relief and support for different sleepers and sleep styles—and it continued to do so through the 30-day testing period.

Pressure Relief

The Tempur-Indulge comfort layer (which contours to the body while distributing its weight more evenly) and the added 1.5 inches of the Euro pillow top are, together, the key to why the Pillow Top Medium version excelled in this category. This was true particularly for side sleeping, our 130-pound tester’s favorite position. “Pressure relief is a critical mattress feature for me,” she says, adding that she didn’t feel any pressure build up in her shoulders, hips or back when lying in this position or wake up with any aches.” While our lighter-weight tester didn’t sleep much on her stomach while testing the Lux Estate because of how comfortable she was side sleeping, she says it felt comfortable in that position, too. “My husband, a back and side sleeper, likewise reported no aches or pains,” she adds.

By contrast, the Pillow Top Firm wasn’t able to provide adequate pressure relief to our two combination-sleeping testers due to its high level of firmness. Because of its lack of give, “I have to be a bit more selective with how I position myself at night as to not place too much strain on various parts,” one tester says. His partner agrees: “I can only sleep on my sides; I cannot sleep on my stomach or on my back at all,” he notes, adding that he’s lost some sleep in the process.

The Tempur-Indulge Memory Foam (and added pillow top) in the Pillow Top Medium version proved to be exceptional at relieving pressure points—for all sleep styles.
Bre Richey For Forbes

Both our 130- and 180-pound testers found the pillow top medium actively cooling, rating it a 5 out of 5 in the category. (In our experience, it’s rare that mattresses score higher than a 4.) This was evident at first touch of the cooling cover, with one tester reporting, “When you put your hand on the mattress, it feels physically cool to the touch, even through the sheets.”

Our lighter-weight tester notes that while she doesn’t describe herself as an “extraordinarily hot” sleeper, she prefers sleeping in a cool bed. Her heavier-weight husband, however, “frequently sweats at night and can never seem to get cool enough.” The Lux Estate’s ventilation did its job, though—neither tester woke up hot or sweaty once during the 30-day period.

One-half of the couple testing the Pillow Top Firm model concurs that this bed is more cooling compared with a premium-level memory foam mattress: “It’s nice, as I tend to run on the hotter side at night.” His partner notes that it felt slightly warmer than an average standard mattress, but the impact was negligible overall.

Motion Transfer

Despite having a feel that’s closer to a traditional mattress than a memory foam bed, the Pillow Top Medium model proved to have excellent motion isolation, scoring a 4.5. “My spouse and I have different work schedules and rarely get in or out of bed at the same time, but neither of us ever felt the other move,” notes our tester. The limited motion transfer is ideal for couples or anyone who shares the bed with a child or pet.

The testers of the Pillow Top Firm similarly place this version’s motion transfer performance in between a box spring and a memory foam mattress. “I have yet to notice my partner moving around. It’s not memory foam-isolated, but it’s really close,” he says. His partner agrees, noting that “movement is not completely imperceptible, but also not an annoyance. My partner has exited the bed without my perceiving it taking place.”

The Lux Estate in Pillow Top Medium offered above-average overall support. “There is no dipping in the middle of the bed and I felt completely secure when sleeping around the perimeter,” our tester says. The support at the edge was also solid, though slightly less so with slight sinkage (she scored it 3 out of 5 for seated edge support and 4 out of 5 for lying edge support). “The minimal amount of sinkage I felt can be attributed to the pillow top, but it wasn’t significant enough that I felt like I was going to fall off or couldn’t sit comfortably,” notes our tester. She adds that both she and her husband felt properly supported despite their different body types and weights.

The Pillow Top Firm performed best in the edge support category. “I can pretty much put my full weight right on the edge and it doesn’t give at all,” reports our 5-foot-7 tester, who rated it a perfect 5 out of 5 for edge support. “[The edges] hold up to the load of my entire body weight without giving when both sitting and lying,” agrees his partner, who also weighs under 150 pounds.

Sleeping or sitting on the edge of the Stearns & Foster Lux Estate feels relatively secure, but the pillow top adds minimal sinkage.
Bre Richey For Forbes

Ease Of Movement

The Lux Estate’s more traditional feel helps with minimizing the feeling that you’re “stuck” in the mattress (something common with true memory foam mattresses). This made it “quite easy to move around on the mattress and switch from one position to another,” says our tester. While she wouldn’t call it a “bouncy” bed, its more standard feel gives the mattress a slight bounce, with “just enough spring to help you move,” she adds.

Other Things Worth Noting

Without the pillow top, the Lux Estate measures an already-hefty 14.5 inches tall, but adding that topmost layer adds an extra 1.5 inches. “It’s one of the thickest mattresses I’ve tested,” says our 130-pound tester. Even if you prefer extra-thick beds, you’ll need to keep this in mind when pairing it with properly fitted sheets. “While my sheets fit (barely), they came off every few nights, a sign that I probably need to buy new deep-pocket sheets,” she notes. You should also err on the side of measuring your sleep setup to assess how this extra-thick mattress will sit against your headboard.

The Lux Estate mattress comes in two other versions we haven’t put through official testing yet: the less-lofty 14.5-inch standard medium, which is rated 6 to 7 on the brand’s firmness scale, and the 16-inch pillow top soft, rated 1 to 2. Our sleep editors were recently able to experience the pillow top soft firsthand at an event, and their initial impression was that it is, in fact, as soft as the brand rating. However, we’ll update this review once we’ve been able to put both models through formal testing.

About The Company

Stearns & Foster’s legacy is rooted in textiles: It was founded in 1846 as a producer of cotton-based goods. The company eventually started manufacturing luxury mattresses for high-end hotels and later merged with renowned mattress company Sealy in 1993. Currently part of Tempur Sealy’s family of brands, Stearns & Foster sells its sleep products—which are designed and manufactured in the U.S.—on its website and at qualified e-tailers and retailers.

Shipping And Delivery

All of Stearns & Foster’s mattresses purchased directly from its site come with free white-glove service, which includes setup and old mattress removal. This is applicable in most of U.S. locations, but note that there’s a $600-per-order surcharge when shipping to Alaska, Hawaii and remote locations. Mattresses take approximately seven business days to ship; once it reaches the delivery hub in your area, a local shipping specialist will call you to schedule the best time for delivery.

Trial Period And Returns

Your mattress (if purchased directly from the brand) comes with a 90-night trial period, though the brand recommends that you try it for at least 30 days to give it time to adjust and soften. If you do wish to return or exchange it within the 90-night window, a $175 shipping fee applies.

Stearns & Foster mattresses are backed by an industry-standard 10-year limited warranty that covers manufacturer’s defects. You’ll need to furnish proof of purchase, the product’s law tag and several photos of the mattress when filing your claim.

Other Mattresses From Stearns & Foster

Stearns & Foster offers five different mattress collections, most with multiple firmness levels (soft, medium and firm) and two construction styles (standard and pillow top). We highlight two other noteworthy models below.

Our Tested (And Re-Tested) Top Luxury Mattress Pick Of 2025

Stearns & Foster

Stearns & Foster Reserve Collection Mattress (Queen)

Our pick for the best luxury mattress of 2025 after extensive testing and re-testing, the Reserve is within the highest tier of Stearns & Foster’s five mattress collections. Like the Lux Estate, the Reserve is available in a standard medium, but it also comes in two pillow top versions, firm and soft. It also has the same five layers—from the breathable cover to the Tempur-Indulge comfort layer to the ventilated perimeter—but the Reserve uses three types of coils (versus the Lux Estate’s two) and features a thicker profile of 16 inches (17 inches with the pillow top added). At almost $5,000, this is a big investment, but a worthy one for those looking for a high-end, more supportive feel in addition to cooling properties.

Premium Materials At A More Accessible Price

Stearns & Foster

Stearns & Foster Studio Mattress (Queen)

The lowest tier of the Stearns & Foster mattress lineup, the Studio rings up at a relatively accessible $1,799 for the standard medium model, which you can upgrade with a pillow top for $200 more. While there are only these two versions available, you’ll have access to the same meticulous craftsmanship and breathable materials (like the Tencel cover and a ventilated perimeter). Plus, the medium and Pillow Top Medium are rated 6 to 7 and 4 to 5 in firmness by the brand, respectively—a middle range that tends to appeal to the widest variety of sleep styles.

Final Thoughts

Both the Pillow Top Medium and the Pillow Top Firm models of the Stearns & Foster Lux Estate have a more standard innerspring-like feel, so it’s ideal for sleepers who don’t like the sink-in sensation of memory foam beds. Despite its more standard feel, though, both versions of the Lux Estate excelled at motion isolation, making it a solid pick for couples or sleeping partners, particularly those with differing schedules. The Pillow Top Medium provided an ideal balance of pressure relief and support that works with a variety of body types and sleeping styles. Combination sleepers and couples with different preferences will enjoy this model.

The Pillow Top Firm didn’t fare as well in the balanced feel department; our testers say it ended up feeling firmer than the listed 8 out of 10 on the brand’s mattress scale, limiting both our combination sleepers to one position—and not necessarily the one they felt the most comfortable in. The silver lining is that the edge support is very strong, so if you like to sleep or sit on the edge, you won’t slide off. Its firmness makes this bed a good pick if you predominantly sleep on your stomach, or heavier sleepers who need more support. If you’re a sleeper who needs a lot of pressure relief, however, this isn’t the bed for you.

Lastly, both models of the Lux Estate succeeded at actively cooling three of our four sleepers. Overall, for hot sleepers and the specific sleep types to whom we recommend each of the two models above, the Lux Estate is a premium mattress worth seriously considering—particularly the Pillow Top Medium.

How We Tested The Stearns & Foster Lux Estate Mattress

To get the full experience with the brand and product, our testers had their beds delivered to their homes, then slept on them for a month. All the while, they made observations and took notes, evaluating them against a set of criteria.

Our testers scheduled delivery of their designated Lux Estate models; when the mattresses arrived at their homes, local shipping specialists set the beds up in our testers’ bedrooms.

All four testers slept on the beds for 30 nights during the summer season.

All the while, they evaluated that same set of criteria and rated the bed’s performance in each category on a 1 to 5 scale. The criteria included pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, support and ease of movement.

Our testers made sure to account for the differing experiences of their partners, since all of them differed in weight, height and sleep preferences.

Why Trust Forbes Vetted

This review and its updates are overseen by our experienced sleep team, who collectively have a decade of experience researching, testing and reporting on the best mattresses and sleep products available.

The Forbes Vetted mattress and sleep team is led by editors Bridget Chapman and McKenzie Dillon. Both are certified sleep science coaches, seasoned sleep reporters and veteran mattress testers who’ve evaluated more than 200 mattresses firsthand.

Chapman and Dillon developed (and continue to improve) our mattress testing methodology and lead our panel testing efforts to maintain thoroughness and consistency with every model tested.

We plan to update this review with testing insights for the two remaining Lux Estate models, as well as data from longer-term testing of the two models already detailed here. Most recently, we retested 90 beds to update the guidance and recommendations in our main mattress guide.

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